At the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, workers are tackling the final preparations for a major milestone, slated for next year: handing over full control of the site to Ukraine. Chernobyl still holds the distinction of being the world’s worst nuclear disaster. And the job of containing the fallout has required an international cast of players. A year ago, crews finished putting the new sarcophagus in place. It’s a massive steel arch — officially called the New Safe Confinement — that covers the destroyed reactor. Now, workers are busy sealing up the space between the new sarcophagus and the old one– which was built in the 80s. And they’re facing some of the highest levels of radiation they’ve encountered so far. Jake Hanrahan got an exclusive look.

Toward the end of January, fighting in east Ukraine saw some of the highest combat deaths on the frontline, with more than 40 people dying in a two-week span. VICE News correspondent Jake Hanrahan went to the war torn industrial town of Avdiivka where the shelling has knocked out electricity and heating. The fighting has started to impact civilians living nearby in the city — at least six have been killed since January 29th.

The simmering war in east Ukraine saw a large-scale escalation last weekend, with five Ukrainian soldiers killed and more than 20 wounded, after separatist militants tried to take over army positions.

While fighting is picking up on the front, Jake Hanrahan visited the separatist Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) to see how the breakaway region is trying to establish government, and to meet the people living under their rule.

This segment originally aired Dec. 19, 2016, on VICE News Tonight on HBO.

VICE News journalist Jake Hanrahan (https://twitter.com/Jake_Hanrahan) joined On The Line to discuss reporting in Turkey, his detention, and why Mohammed Rasool must be released.

In late August, VICE News reporters Jake Hanrahan, Philip Pendelbury and Mohammed Rasool, were arrested outside their hotel in Diyarbakir, Turkey and charged with supporting a terrorist organization. Prior to their arrest, the trio had been reporting on the conflict between Turkish forces and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

After 11 days in detention, Jake and Phil were released. Mohammed Rasool, however, remains wrongfully imprisoned, and the investigation into all three reporters is “ongoing.”

VICE News maintains that the charges against Jake, Phil, and Mohammed are baseless and absurd. We call on the Turkish authorities to continue their positive course of action in freeing Jake and Philip, and release Rasool immediately.